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MEET THE COACHES

Emily Palkert | Head Coach
Emily Palkert has been hired as new women’s volleyball coach at George Fox University and will start her first season at the helm in 2016.

Palkert brings a dynamic mix of playing and coaching experience to her new position. A four-year AVCA All-American at Concordia University, Saint Paul, Palkert was a standout athlete in her playing days. She was named AVCA National Freshman of the Year in 2007 and ended her career as the all-time career kills leader for the Golden Bears. She also led her team to four straight NCAA Division II national championships.

Palkert graduated from Concordia, Saint Paul, and earned a bachelor's degree in child learning and human development in 2011. Upon graduation, she went on to play professionally overseas in Finland in the spring of 2011 and Spain in January of 2012. She earned the silver medal (highest in program history) while playing at Tampere, Finland.

Most recently, she spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Augsburg College (Minn.), where she helped the Auggies become conference co-champions in the MIAC in 2013 and 2014. She also coached four AVCA All-Americans, All-Central Region and All-MIAC athletes. During her time at Augsburg, the Auggies compiled an overall record of 87-32 (.709). She also earned a Master of Business Administration (with an emphasis in social entrepreneurship) from Augsberg in May of 2016.

Concurrently, Palkert coached a Mizuno M1 Volleyball club team in 2012 and a Vital Volleyball 17s Elite team from 2012 to 2015.

As an assistant coach, Palkert helped strengthen overall admissions/athletic department relationships, including acting as admissions counselor for recruiting visits. She assumed the majority of daily responsibilities while the team's head coach was on maternity leave in 2014-15. She also updated the alumnae database and improved relationships that led to donations to a new locker room renovation. She successfully recruited 23 student-athletes over three seasons and assisted in the creation of the JV program to maximize the student-athlete experience.

“We are very excited Emily has accepted the invitation to be our next head volleyball coach,” said Athletic Director Craig Taylor. “Emily emerged as the top candidate in a very strong applicant pool that included applicants from California, Texas, Colorado and Oregon.”

“In addition to having outstanding volleyball credentials as a player both in college and professionally, Emily brings NCAA Division III assistant coaching experience from a very successful program in a very competitive Midwest DIII conference. Her energy and passion for volleyball is immediately evident when you meet her.”

"I couldn't be more excited and humbled to receive the position as head coach of the George Fox volleyball program,” Palkert said. “I hope to carry on the culture of leadership that Steve [Grant] has created. The team has fantastic potential, and I cannot wait to get in the gym! Even more important than athletic talent, they have the unity and Christ-focused heart that creates endless possibilities. The family at George Fox has been so welcoming thus far, and I am grateful to everyone for a seamless transition. Go Bruins!"

Schlatter arrives from Canby High School (Canby, Ore.), where she spent the last four seasons as the Cougars' head volleyball coach. She got her start in coaching in 1985 as an assistant coach for NCAA Division I Portland State, and she helped coach at PSU from 1985 to 1994.

Her playing career is just as impressive as her coaching career, as she played professionally for the Portland Spikers women’s volleyball team for two seasons. Before her time with the Portland Spikers, she spent eight years with the USVBA Women’s Club Volleyball Team, with which she won multiple regional championships, a 1988 national championship and was named a first-team All-American.

She played two seasons at Portland State, where she was named Big Sky All-Conference and led the team to an NCAA Division II national championship in 1984. She was inducted into the Portland State Hall of Fame in 2014.

Schlatter hails from Canby, Ore.

Tyler Cuddeford | Assistant Coach
Tyler Cuddeford returns to the George Fox volleyball program as an assistant coach under head coach Emily Palkert for the 2016 season.

Cuddeford spent five years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) working as an assistant for the Bruins under previous head coach Steve Grant. He also works at George Fox, serving as director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Cuddeford has more than 20 years of experience playing volleyball, most notably at the University of Iowa. Although it was considered a club sport at the university, he competed against most of the Big Ten schools, including Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. He was the starting setter and helped the Hawkeyes achieve their highest ranking at No. 15 his senior year.

In addition to playing, he has coached the past eight years, and his teams have always produced a winning record. In 2015, his U16 team ranked in the top 10 in the Columbia Empire Volleyball Association.

Cuddeford holds a PhD in physical therapy from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in physical therapy from Pacific University.